Kevin Ulrich, a hedge fund billionaire, is joining the ranks of Hollywood’s wealthy looking to make their mark as filmmakers.
The former chairman of MGM and current chairman of J.Crew, Ulrich was instrumental in Amazon’s $8.5 billion acquisition of MGM back in 2021. Recently, he showcased his directorial debut in Park City, entertaining a crowd of a few hundred, as reported by Page Six Hollywood.
His short film, “Ski Dawgs,” runs for 15 minutes and is, as described, a ski comedy. Written, directed, and produced by Ulrich, it wasn’t part of Sundance, but rather featured during J.Crew and US Ski & Snowboard’s introduction of a new skiwear line before the Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy. Before the screening, he welcomed friends, family, athletes, and some moviegoers who happened to be attending the festival.
One attendee shared that they left feeling a bit overwhelmed by the film. “It felt somewhat amateurish, but… it’s worth a try,” the person remarked. A source close to Ulrich mentioned he plans to coach in the future, highlighting his creative flair. Ulrich has strong connections in the industry, including friendships with Mike De Luca and Pam Abdi, who ran MGM’s film division just prior to its purchase by Amazon.
Back in 2010, Ulrich’s Anchorage Capital Group invested $500 million to rescue MGM from bankruptcy, and he played a key role in stabilizing its finances alongside the former CEO, Gary Barber. Known to frequent premieres and industry gatherings, Ulrich, while often viewed as a financier, was involved in creative decisions, earning producer credits for several films like “House of Gucci,” “The Boys in the Boat,” and “Challengers.”
However, the history of producers transitioning to directors isn’t always kind. Just look at Bob Shea from New Line Cinema or former FOX chairman Joe Roth, who directed “The Last Mimzy” and “Revenge of the Nerds 2.” Ah, those movies—memorable, right?
